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Friday, November 6, 2009

Predators Fall to Ducks 4-0 and More

The Nashville Predators went in to Anaheim last night without several key players and lost to the Ducks 4-0 in a game that was better than the score indicated.

The Predators out-shot the Ducks 40-31, with a wider spread in the Corsi numbers 69-42. The Preds did a good job getting plenty of second chances around the net as Jonas Hiller was leaving more rebounds than would be expected, but the Preds were unable to dent the scoresheet.

The loss could have been predicted based on the Ducks home prior record against the Preds of 16-1-3. Their only prior regulation home loss came in 2001.

Patric Hornqvist had one of his best games as a Predator, firing ten shots, many on rebounds from around the net. Hornqvist is starting to develop into a player that is not afraid to go to the dirty areas in front of the net.

Pekka Rinne played well stopping 27 of 31 Duck shots. None of the goals allowed were particularly soft. The Duck's first goal was four seconds after a Ducks five on three power play before the Preds had reestablished the fourth player.

The second and third Duck goals by Teemu Selanne and Todd Marchant happened when they were left alone at point blank range in front of the Preds net. The final goal by Bobby Ryan came off a Pred turnover and was on a defensive miss-match.

One of the highlights of the game was a second period fight between heavyweights Wade Belak and George Parros. It was only the second fight of the season for the Predators.

Jason Arnott appeared to be back to normal in his return logging 19:54 in ice time, getting two shots, and winning 47% of his 19 faceoffs.

Jordin Tootoo was active in his first game of the season playing 11:01 and firing four shots with three more on the Corsi side. He also drew a penalty and was charged with a slashing violation in the first period.

The power play continued to be problematic for the Predators as they were 0-5. The recent improvement in the man-advantage disappeared with Shea Weber, J P Dumont, Marty Erat and Colin Wilson out of the lineup.

The difference maker in the game was Jonas Hiller, who stopped all 40 Predator shots and played an incredible game in spite of giving up plenty of rebounds. The Preds had plenty of chances but Hiller never gave in. Beyond that, the Ducks took advantage of everything the Predators gave them and cashed in for the win.

The Predators return to action on Saturday afternoon in a radio-only game in Los Angeles against the Kings.

Matt at The View from My Seats told us a little about this humorous post on a wedding with kilts and hockey on POTG Radio on Monday, so we were looking forward to it. We were not disappointed. However, Matt did not take his own advice about a stop at In-N-Out Burger at 2:oo AM (or at least he didn't report it).

Hockey fan and Junior team owner Michael Buble talked with Mike Ross of XM204. Here is the interview. I never thought much of the guy until I talked to him briefly at the Awards show in June. He is really a decent guy.

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